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TQ/bag for a scout

My 10 year old Webelo son and I both enjoy camping very much and we are both enthusiastic about transitioning from car camping to backpacking. We have both read a lot on the topic and decided that we want Sierra Snivelers. He's saved up $50 doing chores to pay for part of his $250 TQ.

I'm ready to purchase them for both of us but I have hesitated because I'm wondering if a JRB TQ is too delicate a piece of gear for a scout. He's very intelligent and responsible but boys screw around and I'd hate for him to have to be too careful with such a nice piece of kit. I'm wondering if maybe I should buy him a Kelty Cosmic 20 instead and tell him to spend his saved money elsewhere.

My third son in now entering Boy Scouts. The first two have both aged out. We have used synthetic bags due to the number of camp outs we have in the rain. The olders favorite bags were the polar fleece summer bags which they used year round. They liked to keep it very simple.

I suggest talking to the local troops to see what is best for your area. Hold off on big investments till you have a better idea of where he plans to go with his camping thing. As it is my oldest now ( eagle scout) really has no desire for camping. The other one (1st class) now goes w/ me on these hammock hangs.

I have no experience with the JRB product but I am quite experienced with a now 15 year old scout. The question you need to ask is how will you and he deal with the eventual damage. With 8 years of scouting ahead of him your son's equipment is destined to collect a few battle scars. Tears can be mended, lost down replaced...

I recommend treating the both of you to the topquilts you really want.

TQ/bag for a scout

Somehow I managed to not be aware of Enlightened Equipments ProdigyX despite all my research. This feels like a good option: a little bit less expensive and more tolerant of moisture while only being a little bit heavier and not much larger. I think I'll go that way for him and maybe for myself, too.